What Will Happen as a Result of Global Warming?
Major Stratospheric Cooling
Virtually certain. Because there is erosion of upper stratospheric ozone by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), there is less absorption of infrared radiation emitted from the earth in this area and, therefore, less heating. Upper stratospheric temperatures may be cooler by, perhaps, 18 to 36 degrees Fahrenheit (10 to 20 degrees Celsius).
Increase In Global Temperatures
Very probable. There could be an "effective carbon dioxide doubling" possibly as early as 2030. This means that the infrared energy absorption due to the effect of all the greenhouse gases would double from what it was during the pre-industrial years. Surface atmospheric temperatures could go up 2 to 6 degrees. The rate of this rise in temperature will be governed primarily by the rate at which the concentration of greenhouse gases increases, but other factors complicate the predictive value. The most significant source of uncertainty is the effect that clouds will have on the system.
The areas most likely to be affected by temperature increases are 1) the northern polar zone, where winter mean temperatures could go up about 18 degrees and 2) the continental interiors in the mid-latitudes, where significant warming could occur. Surprisingly, according to results from new circulation models, the southern polar zone should experience very little increase in temperature.